Dees injuries mount as veteran faces pre-season setback

Melbourne has copped another pre-season blow with veteran midfielder Jack Viney slowed by achilles soreness.

The Demons say Viney will be on “light duties” until at least the end of the year as the club’s first pre-season under Steven King takes on a bruising look.

Viney’s setback comes after the club revealed rebounding defender Jake Bowey would be sidelined for six months with a Lisfranc injury that needs surgery.

Emerging midfielder Harvey Langford is also said to have taken a big hit at training recently.

Viney, alongside new recruit Jack Steele, looms as an experienced cog in King’s new-look midfield given the trade period departures of celebrated pair Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.